Taos

Updated: Apr 21, 2022

Ancient adobe village in the desert area - Taos Pueblo 492

What and Why

The Taos Pueblo is an ancient village, constructed as early as 1st millennium BCE by a communal tribe of native American known as the Taos. The clusters of clay houses and townships are considered to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in America.

Taos Pueblo's prominent architectural feature is a multi-storeyed residential complex of reddish-brown earthen cubical adobe. These houses are built much later, from 10th to the 15th century CE. These houses are considered the oldest surviving houses in America and is still used today.

This particular township also carries historical American pride and significance as the area was occupied by the Spanish as part of the region of New Mexico (Spanish: Nuevo México), it was the site of a major revolt which successfully expelled the Spanish from the area for 12 years, the only natives capable to achieve this feat.

Toponymy

In the Tanoan language of Taos, the village is referred to tə̂otho meaning 'inside the village'. (tə̂o village +-tho in).

The word pueblo is Spanish for village and is adopted to describe this kind of community township in Southwest America. There are eight different pueblo communities in Southwest America.

The full proper name of the pueblo is ȉałopháymųp’ȍhə́othə̀olbo meaning 'at the red willow canyon mouth'. Clearly this mouthful of name is only used in ceremonial contexts.

See

This self-driven solitary road trip will take me to three heritage areas showing the aboriginal lives of native Americans.

Pueblos

The buildings at Taos originally had few windows and no standard door. Access into the house was through square holes in the roof that the people reached by climbing long, wooden ladders to avoid attacks from foreign invaders. Adobe was selected as the main architectural materials as it was widely available and were well suited for the rigours of the environment.

Prior to the arrival of the Spanish, all Taos Pueblo walls were constructed using balls of adobe clay moulded like a ball the size of a 'soft ball', the Spanish introduced the technique of mud brick and revolutionised adobe construction in the pueblos.

Some of these houses are converted to catholic churches by the Spanish.

The largest building in the pueblo, Hlauuma (North House) with turquoise-blue doors leading to local artisan shops. This is probably the most visited and photographed buidling in the pueblo. This building is designed for fortification and defence.

There are kilns and furnaces for cooking. By the way, due to conservation, electricity, water, internet and indoor plumbing are prohibited.

Other pueblos.

Kilns for cooking and heating.

The south Hlaukwima is out of bounds.

Ruins of Saint Jerome Catholic Church

The original church was built by the Spanish and was destroyed by the Americans when the pueblo tried to revolt from the New Mexican territory's governor's anti-Native American policies.

Buy and Do

Almost every house in the pueblo has become an atelier or a restaurant. There are paintings, potteries, sculptures, and jewelleries for sale, all made by the family. The community does rely on tourist incomes to make ends meet.

Eat and Drink

Hamburgers

I have always been looking for the best burger joints, especially when I was in America. America is all about hamburgers, about this fast food junk food yard, about this spread of the American spirit for world domination.

Having said all that, here are some of the good chains which I've been to recently:

McDonald's - No need to say anything as the whole universe has tried it.
In-and-Out - An American cult favourite, very juicy burgers, but I actually do not understand the cult following about it, except its so-called secret animal menus.
Burger King - Charbroiled burgers, but I find the bun usually very dry.
Five Guys - Free flow of peanuts and big portion.
Jack-in-the-Box - One thing I like about this is 1) the variety of burgers and 2) that the bun is always moist because they use a lot of cheese-melt. They are also very generous when it comes to the relish inside the bun. One of my favourites in America.
Carl's Jr - A recent favourite, especially in Malaysia, because the burger is really big and moist. As its motto says, 'It's gonna be messy'.
Wendy's - I believe there is a certain tex-mex about this place, where there is lot of chilli con carne.
Johnny Rockets - A diner-like joint that serves some of the juiciest and tastiest burgers. But because it is a diner, it takes a bit of time. But if you are lucky you get to see the servers dance.
Fatburger - A joint where you can literally build your own burger from all sorts of ingredients.
Sonic Drive-In - There was what I had in Taos. Only takeaway via a computer, but the burgers are good.

Amongst them all, I vote Fatburger as my all-time favourite, as it is the only one that I can add a fresh egg into the burger, and hence satisfying all my requirements. Please eat in moderation.

Getting There and Around

Admission fee to the Taos Pueblo is USD $16. The place is honestly very remote and the only access is by car. It is almost a five-hour drive from Denver or 2.5 hour drive from Albuquerque. The urban town of Taos is a few minute drive from the site and offers everything available. The site deserves a good morning visit.